Controversial Danish star Holger Rune will take on Madrid rival Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini battles Alexander Zverev. It’s third-round action at Wimbledon on Saturday.
(6) Holger Rune vs. (31) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
The list of people with which Holger Rune has had feuds includes the likes of Stan Wawrinka, the Madrid crowd, and (of all people) popular chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani–whom he called “an absolute joke”. He had a well-publicized spat with mild-mannered Casper Ruud at last year’s French Open, in which Rune accused the Norwegian of taunting him in the locker room. In response, Ruud said, “It’s a big lie. I hope it’s the last time he does that.”
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was involved in Rune’s most recent volatile interaction. The two men played a dramatic fourth-round match in Madrid, in which the Spanish crowd got on Rune’s case following a controversial call. The crowd booed Rune liberally, while the Dane provoked them and argued with both chair umpire Carlos Bernardes and an ATP official. Davidovich Fokina eventually won the match.
Saturday’s third-round showdown may be just the match the tournament has been waiting for. Davdovich Fokina is playing great tennis right now. He had two tricky opponents in Arthur Fils and Botic van de Zandschulp and dispatched both in style. Rune hasn’t dropped a set yet, but he faced less dangerous opponents (George Loffhagen and Roberto Carballes Baena).
This one should be a barnburner. Either player could come out on top, but Rune has generally been better on grass this season.
Cheryl pick: Rune in 5
Ricky pick: Rune in 5
Matteo Berrettini vs. (19) Alexander Zverev
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini (2021) looks as though he has found some of the form that saw him to a pair of grass-court titles last season. The Italian has struggled with both form and injury this season. He played well this week so far, although his third-round opponent will be a much bigger threat.
Alexander Zverev was out for the second half of the 2022 campaign. The German suffered a season-ending ankle injury at the French Open last year and is only just now working his way back to form. Zverev owns a 4-1 record over Berrettini; the last time Berrettini won over Zverev was back in 2019 at home in Rome.
This match also has the potential to be a thriller. Both men found their form at just the right time. Berrettini is serving well again, and both men have played clean tennis this week. This might be decided by the particular head-to-head matchup, which clearly favors Zverev.
Cheryl pick: Zverev in 4
Ricky pick: Zverev in 5
Rune in 4…a volatile 4!!!….and Zv in 3.
WWW?
Safiullin should be 1.60
Eubanks should be 1.30
Alcaraz should be at least 1.30 against Jarry.
Bublik should beat Rublev again also. Should be 1.70
Bublik isn’t supposed to do well in Slams ..
Matteo!! Amazing how well he played given he has been out injured for ages. Big test for Alcaraz playing him next. Matteo has a huge serve and great forehand. Good backhand slice. His,weaknesses seemed much less,apparent today ie ROS and bh.
I really think he has a chance to beat Alcaraz.
The crowd really likes Matteo as,well.
He is a really nice guy!!
The guys gorgeous 😘
Yes he is!!
But what is very unusual is that he is incredibly good-looking while being seemingly without selfishness and vanity. In my experience very good looking men usually are extremely vain and thus best avoided.
I’m sure he appreciates that coming from you lot. His confidence has now sky rocketed.
A lot of very good looking women might be the same. Sexist comment .
“In my experience” is what Amy wrote. You are generalising from the particular. Also, you need to check definitions of sexism.
‘In my experience ‘ could mean one or two people but implies a big enough sample size to take note of. I won’t argue about the sexist definition.
He’s lovely to look at and seems a lovely man too. Unusual, huh?
I’ve heard Zverev described as handsome so maybe something in that,😊
In my own experience, I’ve never noticed the same correlation in women,😞
“In my experience very good looking men usually are extremely vain and thus best avoided.”
It looks like you’ve been avoided by men all your life, thus so much bitterness and frustration with men and generally with the life, did you remove all the mirrors from your house not to remind you of sad reality?!
Also though ,a lot of very charming people can be quite nasty when get to know them.
I’ve heard Zverev described as handsome so maybe something in that,😊
In my own experience, I’ve never noticed the same correlation in women,😞
Lol I started something, anyway Berretini v Alcaraz, that could be a blockbuster of a match, hope both bring their A game….
I’ll be rooting for Gorgeous😊
I used to think Sabalenka was gorgeous, now hearing about her my illusions shattered
Poor Al!!😀
Am talking about quite a number of men!!
I was thinking that Zverev was looking very dishevelled and quite odd yesterday!
It’s absolutely true about charming people often concealing a nasty side…
Matteo brought this form from nowhere.i had hom going out to Sonego.No wonder my brackets a disaster ,don’t know how I had Meddy losing to Korda
It’s very surprising how well Matteo played. I honestly think if he plays like that he can beat Akcaraz. Especially if he serves really well.
Dunno why so many people have gone for Korda. Didn’t think he was th a t good at Queens. Was brilliant when he beat Med at the AO but he doesn’t seem to be able to maintain his level across matches and is physically frail.
Don’t suppose anyone has picked Matteo to go deep but he could..